Joël and Jan MARTEL (1896-1966) - The Accordionist

Original plaster cast painted by the artists.
Signed “J. MARTEL” on the back.
Circa 1925, based on the original plaster or terracotta cast from 1925.

Original wooden base

Dimensions:
Height: 40 cm (with base)
Width: 18.4 cm – Depth: 17.8 cm

Bibliography:
Throughout their career, the Martel brothers drew inspiration from the Vendée region to create a large number of small sculptures in the round.

In general, the Vendée production is part of a common theme in the work (dance, music, the search for movement) to which the sculptors bring ethnographic precision in the costumes and gestures. Thus, accordionists, dancing couples, and farm workers constitute the main subjects explored by the artists.

In 1925, the first version of the accordionist in black Lakarmé was produced. Here, the focus is on stylization and the pursuit of purity of line. The subject was chosen because it provided an opportunity to translate geometric forms (the fan of broken lines of the accordion).

Other versions appeared in 1927, 1932, 1934, and 1939.

The accordionist shown here is the one from 1925.

A similar model is reproduced in the book “Joël et Jan MARTEL, sculpteurs” published by Gallimard, on page 24 and referenced under number 2 on page 176